July 2010

Sharing his dad's passion for marine life, Robert Irwin ‘called' the whales on the Sunshine Coast on Monday July 12, in celebration of the 2010 whale watching season onboard Steve's Whale One.

Just as Bindi's character, Kirra, did in her film Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove, Robert blew a horn to call the whales, alerting whale watchers that there are whales nearby. Calling the whales has become a South African tradition, and is done to communicate to whale watchers and let them know where they can see whales along the coast.

The Sunshine Coast whale watching season has begun in spectacular style, with guests on board Steve's Whale One treated to an amazing display of acrobatics by mating Humpback Whales over the weekend.

Skipper of Steve's Whale One, Shane Matterson, said that it was great to see so many whales being so active at the beginning of the season.

"Our crew and guests onboard have had a couple of brilliant days out on the open ocean, with breaches and plenty of activity so close to the boat," said Shane.

"We've seen some spectacular breaches and plenty of fin-slapping, which is great to watch.

"We see both males and females breaching for a number of reasons, but when it comes to mating rituals breaches can occur to try to impress each other or intimidate their competition.

"Fin-slapping is also very entertaining, and is a form of communication, but also used to cool the whales down."

With Humpback Whales frolicking off the Sunshine Coast already, it is the perfect time to jump aboard Steve's Whale One to check them out.

"We've had consistent numbers reported down south, and with the whales streaming past the Sunshine Coast, we're expecting some great pods of whales and plenty of activity over the coming weeks," said Shane.

Book your spot now to get up close to the whales onboard Steve's Whale One. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 1300 CRIKEY or online.

I didn't quite know where to comment, but thought this might be an appropriate place. I have mentioned before about what an incredible website Australia Zoo is. I have been visiting it regularly for about a year now, having only recently joining the computer age, and I am still finding new things to watch, and old. One such thing was Terri, Bindi and Robert launching Steve's Whale One. Lovely speech Terri, very well said and straight from the heart. I can imagine Steve sitting there saying, "That's my girl." I never tire of this website and I know I never will. xxx

raquel estrada29th September 2010 13:36:32 AEST

i hope to go one day

Gail from London4th August 2010 01:56:44 AEST

What beautiful experiences you offer to the people, not just at Australia Zoo but also out at sea - wonderful.

I truly believe that we (man) don't need to know everything about everything on this wonderful planet. This, for me, would be one of those times.

I would just be content to sit back and watch the whales do what they do naturally. I wouldn't need to know the 'whys' and 'hows', this would be a time to just watch, observe and enjoy. No questions and no answers needed; just a wonderful moment to enjoy and feed your soul.

Judy Straughen19th July 2010 08:23:06 AEST

On behalf of my sister Trish & myself I would like to thank you for the fantastic trip we had on Saturday 17th July, weather conditions were perfect, staff attentive & informative, a delicious lunch & of course the magnificent whales, they tail slapped, waved & best of all breached, we felt so privilaged to have been able to witness all this in the comfort of the great catamaran & will be certain to do the trip again.
Thanks to Australia Zoo, The crew & staff of Steve's Whale one for a day we will hold in our memory forever